If you’re thinking about getting an MBA in the UK, you may have heard of London Business School (LBS). London Business School, located in one of the world’s most significant business capitals, offers a completely unique MBA experience. With the option to complete the program in just 15 months and a student body comprised of more than 60 different nationalities, London Business School is a top choice for many internationally-minded individuals.
London Business School has formally confirmed the essay prompts for the 2024-2025 admissions season. If you are interested in an MBA program with a worldwide community and access to a major metropolis, London Business School may be an excellent choice.
London Business School is really a global centre, with 60+ nationalities represented in the class of 2025 and distinguished professors and visiting speakers from around the world. In addition, 43 percent of the class of 2025 identifies as female, and students come from a variety of industry backgrounds, according to the information provided.
Getting into such a highly competitive MBA program requires you to ace every component of your application particularly the essay section.
Here are the 2024-2025 essays for London Business School and how to answer them.
LBS MBA Essays
Essays are a vital part of your application and we recommend that you spend a significant amount of time in their preparation. The questions for the LBS MBA programme are:
- What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
- Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (Optional) (500 words)
Essay 1
What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
This question has been on the LBS application for some years now. It is a traditional goals essay, a type of essay that many top business schools ask applicants to write.
Through this essay, you must demonstrate that you have a long-term goal for your career and yourself and that you have a solid strategy for achieving it through the LBS MBA program.
Of course, the fundamental presumptions are that business school is the logical next step in your development and that you should pursue your degree at LBS specifically because the institution offers the unique experiences, knowledge, skills, exposure, and/or other components that are essential for you to realize your goals and succeed in your chosen career.
Ideally, you have previously done extensive research on the program to identify these crucial resources and areas of compatibility, but if not, do not skip this crucial stage and/or merely refer to the fundamental offers that the majority of business schools have.
Your essay must be focused on LBS. The key to writing a strong essay response here is to demonstrate your genuine interest in the program by providing specific instances and creating links between what the school offers, what you need, and who you are.
In short, through this essay you need to explain the following:
- Background of your goals
- Your post-MBA goals
- Why MBA and why now to achieve those goals
- How LBS MBA can help you achieve those goals
LBS MBA Essay tips
Here are five ideas to get you started:
- Go beyond your resume
Instead, pay attention to the instances that helped you stay on track with your career aspirations or demonstrated your leadership potential. Make a point of emphasizing the links between your prior experiences and your present goals.
- For your post-MBA career goals, make sure they are thoroughly researched and feasible.
Consider this when making career, role, or location changes. If you don’t have a solid strategy for the future, the admissions committee will see that as a big red flag.
- Explain why LBS is the best option for you.
‘I desire to expand my professional network’ could be used in any MBA essay. Your presence in the LBS classroom isn’t warranted just on the basis of this flimsy argument. LBS encourages students to think beyond the box and challenge the status quo. Make sure you can explain why LBS is the ideal fit for you.
- Make sure you talk to LBS alums/current students to get a sense of what the school stands for.
The LBS website has testimonies and contact information for student ambassadors. Searchable by program nationality and industry, this database of student ambassadors is an invaluable tool. Take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you by speaking with current LBS students and attending virtual events.
- LBS should be a platform to help you achieve your long-term career goals and objectives.
For those who want to tailor their MBA experience, LBS claims to have the “world’s most adaptable MBA.” Using LBS as a launching pad, explain how you plan to move from point A (your current job) to point B (your post-MBA profession).
In addition, keep in mind what you’ll study at LBS and in London. What additional education or training can help you reach your professional objectives?
Essay 2 (Optional)
Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)
Applicants usually use the optional essay to explain confusing or problematic parts of their application, like a low grade or GPA, a low GMAT or GRE score, a gap in work experience, etc., and LBSs can be used in this way as well.
If you think you need to clarify something about your profile, first look at the other parts of the school’s application, where you may already have a chance to do so (such as academic performance and disciplinary instances).
If you can talk about your problem somewhere else, do that instead. Don’t use this essay to just repeat what you said elsewhere.
If you don’t think there are any parts of your application that need more explanation, you could use this essay to give a more complete, positive picture of yourself. Just be sure to use this chance wisely.
Do not just cut and paste an essay you already wrote for another school and hope for the best. Take a step back and think carefully about what the admissions committee already knows about you from the rest of your application, including the required essay.
Then, do your best to come up with and tell a story that really helps people understand your character. Because this question is so broad, you have a lot of ways to answer it.
You’ll need to be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you’re just adding something extra to your application with this essay or if you’re actually adding something that would help the school get a full and fair picture of you.
Be mindful and respectful of the admissions committee’s time, and keep in mind that each additional file you send requires more resources from the admissions office.
This means that whatever you write must be really worth it and show that you took advantage of this chance to give more information about yourself.
In our opinion, this open-ended question is a great chance to tell a personal story and give it some color to show how you will fit in with the culture. This could be the perfect place to talk about a background, experience, or trait that doesn’t fit anywhere else on the application.
There are many ways to look at diversity. It could be where you come from, the culture you identify with, or how you live your life. If different experiences or ways of thinking don’t speak to you, ask yourself if you’ve ever been challenged or come up with something new.
When have you tried something new or questioned what everyone else thought? A global perspective is also very important. Think of stories that could show how you have shown any of these qualities that LBS looks for.
Let us help you get into London Business School
We will help you write essays that portray your unique strengths and experiences in the most favorable light so that your application shines above the rest. We have helped hundreds of students get into top US business schools. Let us help you too.